My simple.but SUPER important painting tip:

I agree!! I love love chalkpaint. Its so pretty and cuts out lots of the work.

I agree completely. Good quality paint and supplies save so much on time and labor. I like Valspar Reserve or better--usually one coat coverage. Get a good quality brush. Clean it thoroughly after every use. Your paint job will look better and the brush will last a long time.

My favorite tip is at the end of painting for the day wrap the brush in aluminum foil squeezing around handle. Stays moist and ready to use for several days no clumps or dry spots.

I have found that taking the time to clean surfaces, letting them dry well and often priming (yes, even with chalk paint, but that's to help cut down on coats of chalk paint and ensure everything sticks), is KEY! Otherwise, you can end up having to start a long painting project all over. Don't ask me how I know ... ;p

I love chalk paint and though commercial ones are thick and need fewer coats, I also make my own with the plaster of Paris recipe (1 parts P of P to water plus 3 parts latex paint) and it works just as nicely. Favourite brushes have been angled, long soft bristle brushes and my ultimate for trim work or touching up is a good rounded trim brush such as these - taken from Google images. Love this brush a lot!!